Moving a Piano? Follow These Do's And Don'ts for Success
When it comes to items that are hard to move, pianos just might be the hardest of them all. Not only are they an awkward shape to pack, load, and carry, but they have a lot of delicate parts that can be easily damaged. Whether you're moving a baby grand or your grandma's antique piano, make sure you follow these do's and don'ts.
Do: Move everything else out before moving the piano.
Maneuvering around sofas and kitchen tables with a piano is not easy. Make the piano the last thing you put into the moving truck so that everything else is out of the way first.
Do: Consider renting a separate truck for the piano.
If you have a lot of items to move, consider renting two moving trucks. Put most of your possessions in the first one, and put the piano in the second one. This way, you don't have to worry about anything sliding around and crashing into the piano during transit. Ask your moving company for straps to secure the piano to the truck's walls. Place a layer of bubble wrap or some soft blankets between the straps and the piano to prevent scraping it.
Don't: Forget to lock the lid.
If you go over bumps, you don't want the lid bouncing open and shut. This could damage the keys and the wood along the keyboard. Double check that the lid is locked before you drive off.
Don't: Put the piano in a humid truck.
Changes in humidity can cause the piano to warp. Choose a day with low humidity to move. Leave the truck's doors open for a few hours to ensure it's aired out before you move the piano. If you can find a moving truck with an air-conditioned cargo compartment, rent it. The AC will keep the humidity down as you drive along.
Do: Have the piano tuned after the move.
All of the jostling of the move is sure to loosen a few things. Have a professional tuner come tune the piano after the move for the best sound.
Don't: Hesitate to hire a piano-moving company for larger pianos.
If you think you'll have a hard time lifting the piano or getting it into the moving truck without causing damage, don't risk it. Hire a professional piano-moving company such as Caccamise Moving & Storage Co. You'll pay a bit more for this service, but it will be worth it if your piano arrives in one piece!